Skip to content

Analgesic Efficacy of Intravenous Acetaminophen After Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery

A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study to Compare the Effectiveness of IV Acetaminophen Administered Intra-operatively in Reducing the Use of Opiates to Treat Post-operative Pain

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01783236
Enrollment
16
Registered
2013-02-04
Start date
2013-06-30
Completion date
2015-07-31
Last updated
2017-05-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Lung Tumor

Keywords

VATS, thoracic surgery, acetaminophen, ofirmev, lung surgery, thoracoscopic, intravenous acetaminophen

Brief summary

We will study the efficacy of FDA approved intravenous (IV) acetaminophen (Ofirmev, © 2011 Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) in reducing opioid consumption after minimally invasive thoracic surgery in a double blind randomized trial. This drug has been shown in Europe to reduce the need for patient controlled analgesia and the total dose of opioids, which have serious side effects in thoracic surgery patients. We will compare the use of IV patient-controlled morphine (PCA) in two groups of subjects in treating postoperative pain. We will determine if IV acetaminophen reduces post-operative morphine requirements (primary end point). We will also assess subject pain scores and post-operative complications associated with pain management as secondary end points. Our hypothesis is that the study arm receiving intravenous acetaminophen will have lower total morphine consumptions compared to the placebo group.

Detailed description

We will study the efficacy of FDA approved intravenous (IV) acetaminophen (Ofirmev, © 2011 Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) in reducing opioid consumption after minimally invasive thoracic surgery in a double blind randomized trial. This drug has been shown in Europe to reduce the need for patient controlled analgesia and the total dose of opioids, which have serious side effects in thoracic surgery patients. We will compare the use of IV patient-controlled morphine (PCA) in two groups of subjects in treating postoperative pain. One group of subjects will receive IV acetaminophen every six hours beginning within 30 minutes before surgical end time and continuing for 24 hours plus IV morphine PCA, and the other group will receive IV placebo every six hours plus IV morphine PCA, a standard treatment for postoperative pain. We will determine if IV acetaminophen reduces post-operative morphine requirements (primary end point). We will also assess subject pain scores and post-operative complications associated with pain management as secondary end points. Our hypothesis is that the study arm receiving intravenous acetaminophen will have lower total morphine consumptions compared to the placebo group.

Interventions

DRUGIV Acetaminophen

1000mg IV Ofirmev given every six hours for a total of four doses.

DRUGSaline Placebo

Normal saline placebo given every six hours for a total of four doses if randomized to the placebo arm.

Sponsors

Mallinckrodt
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 99 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Any elective VATS patients with low probability of conversion to thoracotomy as determined by surgery. * Ages 18-99 * American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status I-III, hemodynamically stable * Male or female

Exclusion criteria

* Age less than 18. * Patient refusal * High probability of conversion to thoracotomy as determined by surgeon * Conversion of procedure to thoracotomy (subjects will be withdrawn if VATS procedure is converted to thoracotomy, as thoracotomy is more invasive and will likely require additional analgesia such as neuraxial and regional anesthesia). * Scheduled procedure of VATS Pleurodesis/decortication * History of Interstitial Lung Disease * Emergency case * Known allergy/adverse reaction to acetaminophen, morphine, or fentanyl * History of drug or alcohol abuse * Patients on preoperative analgesic therapy within one week of surgery * Contraindication to self administered morphine (unable to understand PCA) * Need for postoperative mechanical ventilation * Necessary major deviation for intraoperative study protocol as per the discretion of the intraoperative attending anesthesiologist * History of congestive heart failure, renal failure, liver failure * Pregnant or breastfeeding women * Weight less than 51 kg

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Total Morphine Consumption (mg)24 hoursHow much morphine the subject consumes in the first 24 hours after surgery (mg).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Total Number of PCA Requests in First 24 Hours Post-Operation24 hours post-operationThe total number of Patient Controlled Analgesic (PCA) requests in the first 24 hours after the conclusion of the subject's operation
VAS Pain Score 2 Hours Post Operation2 Hours Post Operation2 hours after the conclusion of their operation,participants were asked to draw a vertical line on the VAS to indicate their level of pain, which was then converted into millimeters for interpretations. Scores ranged from 0-100mm. VAS pain score identifies two extremes on a 10 centimeter horizontal line; the extremes are labeled No Pain (score of 0) and Worst possible pain (score of 100).
VAS Pain Score 6 Hours Post-Operation6 Hours Post-Operation6 hours after the conclusion of their operation, participants were asked to draw a vertical line on the VAS to indicate their level of pain, which was then converted into millimeters for interpretations. Scores ranged from 0-100mm. VAS pain score identifies two extremes on a 10 centimeter horizontal line; the extremes are labeled No Pain (score of 0) and Worst possible pain (score of 100).
VAS Score 24 Hours Post-Operation24 hours post-operation24 Hours after the conclusion of the subject's operation, participants were asked to draw a vertical line on the VAS to indicate their level of pain, which was then converted into millimeters for interpretations. Scores ranged from 0-100mm. VAS pain score identifies two extremes on a 10 centimeter horizontal line; the extremes are labeled No Pain (score of 0) and Worst possible pain (score of 100).

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Saline Placebo
Subjects will receive a saline placebo infusion administered over 15 minutes every 6 hours for 24 hours. Saline Placebo: Normal saline placebo given every six hours for a total of four doses if randomized to the placebo arm.
8
IV Acetaminophen
Subjects will receive an infusion of 1 g of intravenous acetaminophen administered over 15 minutes every 6 hours for 24 hours with a maximum dose of 4 grams. IV Acetaminophen: 1000mg IV Ofirmev given every six hours for a total of four doses.
8
Total16

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicSaline PlaceboIV AcetaminophenTotal
Age, Continuous59.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.18
64.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.23
61.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.28
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
7 Participants7 Participants14 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants1 Participants2 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
6 Participants8 Participants14 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
4 Participants3 Participants7 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
4 Participants5 Participants9 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 80 / 8
other
Total, other adverse events
4 / 84 / 8
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 80 / 8

Outcome results

Primary

Total Morphine Consumption (mg)

How much morphine the subject consumes in the first 24 hours after surgery (mg).

Time frame: 24 hours

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Saline PlaceboTotal Morphine Consumption (mg)34.5 mg
IV AcetaminophenTotal Morphine Consumption (mg)44 mg
Secondary

Total Number of PCA Requests in First 24 Hours Post-Operation

The total number of Patient Controlled Analgesic (PCA) requests in the first 24 hours after the conclusion of the subject's operation

Time frame: 24 hours post-operation

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Saline PlaceboTotal Number of PCA Requests in First 24 Hours Post-Operation41 PCA requests
IV AcetaminophenTotal Number of PCA Requests in First 24 Hours Post-Operation43 PCA requests
Secondary

VAS Pain Score 2 Hours Post Operation

2 hours after the conclusion of their operation,participants were asked to draw a vertical line on the VAS to indicate their level of pain, which was then converted into millimeters for interpretations. Scores ranged from 0-100mm. VAS pain score identifies two extremes on a 10 centimeter horizontal line; the extremes are labeled No Pain (score of 0) and Worst possible pain (score of 100).

Time frame: 2 Hours Post Operation

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Saline PlaceboVAS Pain Score 2 Hours Post Operation75.5 mm
IV AcetaminophenVAS Pain Score 2 Hours Post Operation49 mm
Secondary

VAS Pain Score 6 Hours Post-Operation

6 hours after the conclusion of their operation, participants were asked to draw a vertical line on the VAS to indicate their level of pain, which was then converted into millimeters for interpretations. Scores ranged from 0-100mm. VAS pain score identifies two extremes on a 10 centimeter horizontal line; the extremes are labeled No Pain (score of 0) and Worst possible pain (score of 100).

Time frame: 6 Hours Post-Operation

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Saline PlaceboVAS Pain Score 6 Hours Post-Operation68.5 mm
IV AcetaminophenVAS Pain Score 6 Hours Post-Operation39 mm
Secondary

VAS Score 24 Hours Post-Operation

24 Hours after the conclusion of the subject's operation, participants were asked to draw a vertical line on the VAS to indicate their level of pain, which was then converted into millimeters for interpretations. Scores ranged from 0-100mm. VAS pain score identifies two extremes on a 10 centimeter horizontal line; the extremes are labeled No Pain (score of 0) and Worst possible pain (score of 100).

Time frame: 24 hours post-operation

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Saline PlaceboVAS Score 24 Hours Post-Operation53 mm
IV AcetaminophenVAS Score 24 Hours Post-Operation16.5 mm

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026